Services

New Park&Ride sites with fleet of electric buses are officially opened

YORK'S two new Park&Ride (P&R) sites have been officially opened complete with a fleet of electric buses at Poppleton Bar.

The Lord Mayor, Coun Ian Gillies and Council Leader, James Alexander, cut the ribbon on the £22.7 million pound project, which was 70 per cent funded by the government, and means the city now has six P&R sites – making it one of the largest such services in the country.

The new P&R at Poppleton Bar and larger one near to the previous Askham Bar site has been created by City of York Council with contractors Balfour Beatty and designers CH2M Hill with bus services run by First.

The council hopes the move will cut congestion into the city centre by increasing the parking capacity to 1,100 vehicles at Askham Bar and introducing the new 600-vehicle facility at Poppleton.

Cllr James Alexander, said: "This has been a very complicated project to bring forward, but it's very important and significant for the city and I just hope many people use it."

The single-decker buses’ batteries will be capable of storing enough charge to allow them to operate all day, and the council says more than 80 per cent of bus traffic through York could ultimately be operated by electricity.

Cllr David Levene, cabinet member for transport, said: “The project represents one of the largest single investments in York’s transport infrastructure since the northern ring road was built in the 80s.

"This has been our stated priority for the last three years and builds on our existing portfolio of P&R sites. This is critical for York’s future economic prosperity and environmental wellbeing and we are delighted to be delivering this major improvement today.”

Eddie Tribe, from Balfour Beatty, said: “These new P&R sites will ease congestion and provide people with improved journeys into York city centre.”

Sherburn-in-Elmet-based Optare was procured to manufacture the new electric buses and the new sites will continue to be operated by First bus.

Ben Gilligan, managing director of First in York, said: “The investment by First of nearly £1m in these new Optare Versa Electric Vehicles in York demonstrates our commitment to improving the quality of life by lowering air emissions & congestion and offering low-carbon travel options.”

Enrico Vassallo, CEO of Optare PLC, said: “Optare’s electric vehicles continue to grow in popularity, with orders so far this year totalling 34 vehicles. The new vehicles for York will be in addition to another Optare electric vehicle already operating at the University of York on the campus shuttle service and other Optare electric vehicles already in service in Harrogate, Scotland, Nottingham, Coventry, London, Heathrow Terminal 5, Switzerland and Holland, bringing the total of Optare electric vehicles currently in service to 59."

Go green and get Wi-Fi!

WITH the official launch of York’s first fleet of electric buses The Press deputy news editor,Haydn Lewis hopped on board for a trip to the ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the city’s two new Park&Rides, Askham Bar and Poppleton Bar.

I consider myself lucky that most days I can walk to work and don’t need to add my vehicle to the already congested city-centre streets.

I confess I have never used York Park&Ride or ever been on an electric bus so I’m not sure what I was expecting when our group set off from outside York station for the trip out to the ring road.

If it was engine noise, then apart from a vague whirring sound now and again, there was nothing to hear in that department – gone is the growling noise of the old diesel engine and attendant plume of exhaust fumes to be replaced by, well, the sound of silence.

York’s rush-hour traffic had long since departed when we boarded, so it’s difficult to say how long a commuter’s journey would take. Ours was about quarter of an hour out to Askham Bar which has more than doubled its capacity from 500 to 1,100 car parking spaces.

The big, green, single-decker bus, which comes with its own Wi-Fi, was roomy and comfortable and, despite lacking the usual engine noises, was very like any other bus in essentials.

What was impressive was that the technology behind is home-grown in Yorkshire.

The drive system is from Sheffield-based Magtec and it was built by Optare in Sherburn-in-Elmet.

In summary, the bus was comfortable, quiet and green and possibly the next best thing to walking for getting around the city.

Pity the other Buses are not as in tip top condition, for instance buses using No1 route, sound like HGV pulling a heavy load, buses kicking diesel fumes, Now its How Silent the electric buses are, best get the First York Road manager on the streets and the council Environmental people to check the remainder of the Councils private bus company. (Any Comments)

Pity the other Buses are not as in tip top condition, for instance buses using No1 route, sound like HGV pulling a heavy load, buses kicking diesel fumes, Now its How Silent the electric buses are, best get the First York Road manager on the streets and the council Environmental people to check the remainder of the Councils private bus company. (Any Comments)Dave Ruddock

Pity the other Buses are not as in tip top condition, for instance buses using No1 route, sound like HGV pulling a heavy load, buses kicking diesel fumes, Now its How Silent the electric buses are, best get the First York Road manager on the streets and the council Environmental people to check the remainder of the Councils private bus company. (Any Comments)

Score: -20

russeboy
12:01pm Thu 12 Jun 14

No mention that the A59/A1237 junction is still a total mess and running 2 months behind schedule causing increasing frustration for drivers who are now running out of patience. There is a lot of Balfour Beatty workmen just standing around watching the one lad who's doing the work!

No mention that the A59/A1237 junction is still a total mess and running 2 months behind schedule causing increasing frustration for drivers who are now running out of patience. There is a lot of Balfour Beatty workmen just standing around watching the one lad who's doing the work!russeboy

No mention that the A59/A1237 junction is still a total mess and running 2 months behind schedule causing increasing frustration for drivers who are now running out of patience. There is a lot of Balfour Beatty workmen just standing around watching the one lad who's doing the work!

Score: -4

bishboy
12:03pm Thu 12 Jun 14

Decisions, decisions..
Do I walk to the end of the street then pay £3.70 for a First Day ticket (no longer do an ordinary return ticket) to travel on a 13+ years old number 11 bus that is noisy and smelly with no free WiFi.
OR
Jump in the car and drive 5 minutes to the P&R site to pay only £2.70 to use a nice modern bus with free WiFi.
Hmm !

Decisions, decisions..
Do I walk to the end of the street then pay £3.70 for a First Day ticket (no longer do an ordinary return ticket) to travel on a 13+ years old number 11 bus that is noisy and smelly with no free WiFi.
OR
Jump in the car and drive 5 minutes to the P&R site to pay only £2.70 to use a nice modern bus with free WiFi.
Hmm !bishboy

Decisions, decisions..
Do I walk to the end of the street then pay £3.70 for a First Day ticket (no longer do an ordinary return ticket) to travel on a 13+ years old number 11 bus that is noisy and smelly with no free WiFi.
OR
Jump in the car and drive 5 minutes to the P&R site to pay only £2.70 to use a nice modern bus with free WiFi.
Hmm !

Score: 2

MrsHoney
12:06pm Thu 12 Jun 14

I do think Park & Rides are a good idea but can't understand why they've opened the Poppleton one before it's actually finished. I've passed one of the green busses the last 2 mornings and on both occassions seen only 1 passenger on. Seems like a waste of money running the busses before the place has actually been fully constructed.

It's also a shame they don't spend so much time, effort and money on residents transport options. It would be a great idea for this service to stop at least once on Boroughbridge Rd, other Park & Ride services stop along routes. Might be a good option for parking if you're using the station at Poppleton though!

I do think Park & Rides are a good idea but can't understand why they've opened the Poppleton one before it's actually finished. I've passed one of the green busses the last 2 mornings and on both occassions seen only 1 passenger on. Seems like a waste of money running the busses before the place has actually been fully constructed.
It's also a shame they don't spend so much time, effort and money on residents transport options. It would be a great idea for this service to stop at least once on Boroughbridge Rd, other Park & Ride services stop along routes. Might be a good option for parking if you're using the station at Poppleton though!MrsHoney

I do think Park & Rides are a good idea but can't understand why they've opened the Poppleton one before it's actually finished. I've passed one of the green busses the last 2 mornings and on both occassions seen only 1 passenger on. Seems like a waste of money running the busses before the place has actually been fully constructed.

It's also a shame they don't spend so much time, effort and money on residents transport options. It would be a great idea for this service to stop at least once on Boroughbridge Rd, other Park & Ride services stop along routes. Might be a good option for parking if you're using the station at Poppleton though!

Score: 1

JNikko
12:06pm Thu 12 Jun 14

I saw lots of parking and not much riding this morning. Two buses queuing at the Boroughbridge Road/Beckfield Lane junction because of the roundabout debacle in front.

I saw lots of parking and not much riding this morning. Two buses queuing at the Boroughbridge Road/Beckfield Lane junction because of the roundabout debacle in front.JNikko

I saw lots of parking and not much riding this morning. Two buses queuing at the Boroughbridge Road/Beckfield Lane junction because of the roundabout debacle in front.

Score: -8

bishboy
12:08pm Thu 12 Jun 14

russeboy wrote…

No mention that the A59/A1237 junction is still a total mess and running 2 months behind schedule causing increasing frustration for drivers who are now running out of patience. There is a lot of Balfour Beatty workmen just standing around watching the one lad who's doing the work!

Bet its finished by beginning of July......Tour de France !

[quote][p][bold]russeboy[/bold] wrote:
No mention that the A59/A1237 junction is still a total mess and running 2 months behind schedule causing increasing frustration for drivers who are now running out of patience. There is a lot of Balfour Beatty workmen just standing around watching the one lad who's doing the work![/p][/quote]Bet its finished by beginning of July......Tour de France !bishboy

russeboy wrote…

No mention that the A59/A1237 junction is still a total mess and running 2 months behind schedule causing increasing frustration for drivers who are now running out of patience. There is a lot of Balfour Beatty workmen just standing around watching the one lad who's doing the work!

Bet its finished by beginning of July......Tour de France !

Score: -18

russeboy
12:11pm Thu 12 Jun 14

MrsHoney wrote…

I do think Park & Rides are a good idea but can't understand why they've opened the Poppleton one before it's actually finished. I've passed one of the green busses the last 2 mornings and on both occassions seen only 1 passenger on. Seems like a waste of money running the busses before the place has actually been fully constructed. It's also a shame they don't spend so much time, effort and money on residents transport options. It would be a great idea for this service to stop at least once on Boroughbridge Rd, other Park & Ride services stop along routes. Might be a good option for parking if you're using the station at Poppleton though!

Agreed, First need to invest in local services used by the residents of the city, yes, we need to look after the visitors but £22,000,000 spend on these 2 P&R is a bit too much and should have ben invested in the local links.

[quote][p][bold]MrsHoney[/bold] wrote:
I do think Park & Rides are a good idea but can't understand why they've opened the Poppleton one before it's actually finished. I've passed one of the green busses the last 2 mornings and on both occassions seen only 1 passenger on. Seems like a waste of money running the busses before the place has actually been fully constructed. It's also a shame they don't spend so much time, effort and money on residents transport options. It would be a great idea for this service to stop at least once on Boroughbridge Rd, other Park & Ride services stop along routes. Might be a good option for parking if you're using the station at Poppleton though![/p][/quote]Agreed, First need to invest in local services used by the residents of the city, yes, we need to look after the visitors but £22,000,000 spend on these 2 P&R is a bit too much and should have ben invested in the local links.russeboy

MrsHoney wrote…

I do think Park & Rides are a good idea but can't understand why they've opened the Poppleton one before it's actually finished. I've passed one of the green busses the last 2 mornings and on both occassions seen only 1 passenger on. Seems like a waste of money running the busses before the place has actually been fully constructed. It's also a shame they don't spend so much time, effort and money on residents transport options. It would be a great idea for this service to stop at least once on Boroughbridge Rd, other Park & Ride services stop along routes. Might be a good option for parking if you're using the station at Poppleton though!

Agreed, First need to invest in local services used by the residents of the city, yes, we need to look after the visitors but £22,000,000 spend on these 2 P&R is a bit too much and should have ben invested in the local links.

Score: -11

Ichabod76
1:44pm Thu 12 Jun 14

shame there wasn't at least one female at the launch !
#sausagefest

shame there wasn't at least one female at the launch !
#sausagefestIchabod76

shame there wasn't at least one female at the launch !
#sausagefest

Score: -41

russeboy
12:17pm Thu 12 Jun 14

bishboy wrote…

russeboy wrote…

No mention that the A59/A1237 junction is still a total mess and running 2 months behind schedule causing increasing frustration for drivers who are now running out of patience. There is a lot of Balfour Beatty workmen just standing around watching the one lad who's doing the work!

Bet its finished by beginning of July......Tour de France !

I'm sure it will be but it should have been completed in April.

[quote][p][bold]bishboy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]russeboy[/bold] wrote:
No mention that the A59/A1237 junction is still a total mess and running 2 months behind schedule causing increasing frustration for drivers who are now running out of patience. There is a lot of Balfour Beatty workmen just standing around watching the one lad who's doing the work![/p][/quote]Bet its finished by beginning of July......Tour de France ![/p][/quote]I'm sure it will be but it should have been completed in April.russeboy

bishboy wrote…

russeboy wrote…

No mention that the A59/A1237 junction is still a total mess and running 2 months behind schedule causing increasing frustration for drivers who are now running out of patience. There is a lot of Balfour Beatty workmen just standing around watching the one lad who's doing the work!

Really have not seen the benifit of this site at all... When the new roundabout is open i think it will be a nightmare...

22m wasted....30% of it our money.... 6.6m....

I’ve seen 3 green busses so far during commuting times..... max 3 people min 1 person.... excellent business planning....
Really have not seen the benifit of this site at all... When the new roundabout is open i think it will be a nightmare...
22m wasted....30% of it our money.... 6.6m....Archiebold the 1st

Really have not seen the benifit of this site at all... When the new roundabout is open i think it will be a nightmare...

22m wasted....30% of it our money.... 6.6m....

I think that's what's called a "soft" opening. Look again in a few months time.

[quote][p][bold]Archiebold the 1st[/bold] wrote:
I’ve seen 3 green busses so far during commuting times..... max 3 people min 1 person.... excellent business planning....
Really have not seen the benifit of this site at all... When the new roundabout is open i think it will be a nightmare...
22m wasted....30% of it our money.... 6.6m....[/p][/quote]I think that's what's called a "soft" opening. Look again in a few months time.pedalling paul

Really have not seen the benifit of this site at all... When the new roundabout is open i think it will be a nightmare...

22m wasted....30% of it our money.... 6.6m....

I think that's what's called a "soft" opening. Look again in a few months time.

Score: 45

Archiebold the 1st
2:16pm Thu 12 Jun 14

pedalling paul wrote…

Archiebold the 1st wrote…

I’ve seen 3 green busses so far during commuting times..... max 3 people min 1 person.... excellent business planning.... Really have not seen the benifit of this site at all... When the new roundabout is open i think it will be a nightmare... 22m wasted....30% of it our money.... 6.6m....

I think that's what's called a "soft" opening. Look again in a few months time.

I think its called a daft location and route with no evidence of demand. There is a p&r up the road on a bigger entrance to York (and this one has a station next to it!). Surly if it was convenient and so good for getting to a destination people would use it at their earliest convenience?!

Don't worry Paul this scheme will be under an extreme review in the near future when demand isn’t realised and the council have to justify why a bit of civil work cost 22m and over ran... I think the statement in the article saying how complex this job was sums up their qualifications in improving transportation for the future! I mean altering a round about and narrowing or widening lanes complicated? No… The Contractor must be rubbing their hands at this.... I also bet that an EOT was granted and it goes over budget at our cost... After all driving through it around 11:30 last night there wasn’t the urgency around that gave the impression the contractor was loosing cash on it!

[quote][p][bold]pedalling paul [/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Archiebold the 1st[/bold] wrote: I’ve seen 3 green busses so far during commuting times..... max 3 people min 1 person.... excellent business planning.... Really have not seen the benifit of this site at all... When the new roundabout is open i think it will be a nightmare... 22m wasted....30% of it our money.... 6.6m....[/p][/quote]I think that's what's called a "soft" opening. Look again in a few months time.[/p][/quote]I think its called a daft location and route with no evidence of demand. There is a p&r up the road on a bigger entrance to York (and this one has a station next to it!). Surly if it was convenient and so good for getting to a destination people would use it at their earliest convenience?!
Don't worry Paul this scheme will be under an extreme review in the near future when demand isn’t realised and the council have to justify why a bit of civil work cost 22m and over ran... I think the statement in the article saying how complex this job was sums up their qualifications in improving transportation for the future! I mean altering a round about and narrowing or widening lanes complicated? No… The Contractor must be rubbing their hands at this.... I also bet that an EOT was granted and it goes over budget at our cost... After all driving through it around 11:30 last night there wasn’t the urgency around that gave the impression the contractor was loosing cash on it!Archiebold the 1st

pedalling paul wrote…

Archiebold the 1st wrote…

I’ve seen 3 green busses so far during commuting times..... max 3 people min 1 person.... excellent business planning.... Really have not seen the benifit of this site at all... When the new roundabout is open i think it will be a nightmare... 22m wasted....30% of it our money.... 6.6m....

I think that's what's called a "soft" opening. Look again in a few months time.

I think its called a daft location and route with no evidence of demand. There is a p&r up the road on a bigger entrance to York (and this one has a station next to it!). Surly if it was convenient and so good for getting to a destination people would use it at their earliest convenience?!

Don't worry Paul this scheme will be under an extreme review in the near future when demand isn’t realised and the council have to justify why a bit of civil work cost 22m and over ran... I think the statement in the article saying how complex this job was sums up their qualifications in improving transportation for the future! I mean altering a round about and narrowing or widening lanes complicated? No… The Contractor must be rubbing their hands at this.... I also bet that an EOT was granted and it goes over budget at our cost... After all driving through it around 11:30 last night there wasn’t the urgency around that gave the impression the contractor was loosing cash on it!

Score: -18

Oaklands Resident
3:04pm Thu 12 Jun 14

Just let the Council explain why they didn't wait for another 3 weeks before opening the - what should then be- completed park and ride site at Poppleton including all the essential on carriageway features such as the new traffic signals?

Not to mention "pedalling" the cycle underpass at the A1237 junction!

Just let the Council explain why they didn't wait for another 3 weeks before opening the - what should then be- completed park and ride site at Poppleton including all the essential on carriageway features such as the new traffic signals?
Not to mention "pedalling" the cycle underpass at the A1237 junction!Oaklands Resident

Just let the Council explain why they didn't wait for another 3 weeks before opening the - what should then be- completed park and ride site at Poppleton including all the essential on carriageway features such as the new traffic signals?

Not to mention "pedalling" the cycle underpass at the A1237 junction!

Score: -27

harrygilmore
4:39pm Thu 12 Jun 14

The Press should be appalled at its poor reporting of the ongoing Poppleton roundabout debacle.

The Press should be appalled at its poor reporting of the ongoing Poppleton roundabout debacle.harrygilmore

The Press should be appalled at its poor reporting of the ongoing Poppleton roundabout debacle.

Score: -10

nowthen
6:05pm Thu 12 Jun 14

The Lord Mayor, Coun Ian Gillies and Council Leader, James Alexander, cut the ribbon on the £22.7 million pound project, which was 70 per cent funded by the government. ....... Oh really !!!! our MPs have coughed up the dosh have they ? have they b@ll@cks ! that should read 70% funded by the taxpayers which means we're the majority shareholders , are we going to get a share of the profits ? Not a chance , we don't even get a say in the running of our City.

The Lord Mayor, Coun Ian Gillies and Council Leader, James Alexander, cut the ribbon on the £22.7 million pound project, which was 70 per cent funded by the government. ....... Oh really !!!! our MPs have coughed up the dosh have they ? have they b@ll@cks ! that should read 70% funded by the taxpayers which means we're the majority shareholders , are we going to get a share of the profits ? Not a chance , we don't even get a say in the running of our City.nowthen

The Lord Mayor, Coun Ian Gillies and Council Leader, James Alexander, cut the ribbon on the £22.7 million pound project, which was 70 per cent funded by the government. ....... Oh really !!!! our MPs have coughed up the dosh have they ? have they b@ll@cks ! that should read 70% funded by the taxpayers which means we're the majority shareholders , are we going to get a share of the profits ? Not a chance , we don't even get a say in the running of our City.

Score: -54

Alf Garnett
7:04pm Thu 12 Jun 14

nowthen wrote…

The Lord Mayor, Coun Ian Gillies and Council Leader, James Alexander, cut the ribbon on the £22.7 million pound project, which was 70 per cent funded by the government. ....... Oh really !!!! our MPs have coughed up the dosh have they ? have they b@ll@cks ! that should read 70% funded by the taxpayers which means we're the majority shareholders , are we going to get a share of the profits ? Not a chance , we don't even get a say in the running of our City.

Run for office.

[quote][p][bold]nowthen[/bold] wrote:
The Lord Mayor, Coun Ian Gillies and Council Leader, James Alexander, cut the ribbon on the £22.7 million pound project, which was 70 per cent funded by the government. ....... Oh really !!!! our MPs have coughed up the dosh have they ? have they b@ll@cks ! that should read 70% funded by the taxpayers which means we're the majority shareholders , are we going to get a share of the profits ? Not a chance , we don't even get a say in the running of our City.[/p][/quote]Run for office.Alf Garnett

nowthen wrote…

The Lord Mayor, Coun Ian Gillies and Council Leader, James Alexander, cut the ribbon on the £22.7 million pound project, which was 70 per cent funded by the government. ....... Oh really !!!! our MPs have coughed up the dosh have they ? have they b@ll@cks ! that should read 70% funded by the taxpayers which means we're the majority shareholders , are we going to get a share of the profits ? Not a chance , we don't even get a say in the running of our City.

Run for office.

Score: 42

pedalling paul
9:44pm Thu 12 Jun 14

Oaklands Resident wrote…

Just let the Council explain why they didn't wait for another 3 weeks before opening the - what should then be- completed park and ride site at Poppleton including all the essential on carriageway features such as the new traffic signals?

Not to mention "pedalling" the cycle underpass at the A1237 junction!

Ah yes...the underpass..redressin
g the effects of severance upon non-motorised travellers. The similar underpass near Rawcliffe Bar enables a lot of journeys to secondary school from Skelton to be made by bike, so less school run traffic bunging up the ring road there. Plus local shopping trips to the Shipton Road area. And in the opposite direction, leisure/recreational bike rides into the countryside north of the City.

[quote][p][bold]Oaklands Resident[/bold] wrote:
Just let the Council explain why they didn't wait for another 3 weeks before opening the - what should then be- completed park and ride site at Poppleton including all the essential on carriageway features such as the new traffic signals?
Not to mention "pedalling" the cycle underpass at the A1237 junction![/p][/quote]Ah yes...the underpass..redressin
g the effects of severance upon non-motorised travellers. The similar underpass near Rawcliffe Bar enables a lot of journeys to secondary school from Skelton to be made by bike, so less school run traffic bunging up the ring road there. Plus local shopping trips to the Shipton Road area. And in the opposite direction, leisure/recreational bike rides into the countryside north of the City.pedalling paul

Oaklands Resident wrote…

Just let the Council explain why they didn't wait for another 3 weeks before opening the - what should then be- completed park and ride site at Poppleton including all the essential on carriageway features such as the new traffic signals?

Not to mention "pedalling" the cycle underpass at the A1237 junction!

Ah yes...the underpass..redressin
g the effects of severance upon non-motorised travellers. The similar underpass near Rawcliffe Bar enables a lot of journeys to secondary school from Skelton to be made by bike, so less school run traffic bunging up the ring road there. Plus local shopping trips to the Shipton Road area. And in the opposite direction, leisure/recreational bike rides into the countryside north of the City.

Score: 90

strangebuttrue?
12:47am Fri 13 Jun 14

Well I might as well make some comment to give the score adjuster something to do. There you go.

Well I might as well make some comment to give the score adjuster something to do. There you go.strangebuttrue?

Well I might as well make some comment to give the score adjuster something to do. There you go.

Score: -48

jake777
12:58am Fri 13 Jun 14

Dave Ruddock wrote…

Pity the other Buses are not as in tip top condition, for instance buses using No1 route, sound like HGV pulling a heavy load, buses kicking diesel fumes, Now its How Silent the electric buses are, best get the First York Road manager on the streets and the council Environmental people to check the remainder of the Councils private bus company. (Any Comments)

no comments to such dribble.

[quote][p][bold]Dave Ruddock[/bold] wrote:
Pity the other Buses are not as in tip top condition, for instance buses using No1 route, sound like HGV pulling a heavy load, buses kicking diesel fumes, Now its How Silent the electric buses are, best get the First York Road manager on the streets and the council Environmental people to check the remainder of the Councils private bus company. (Any Comments)[/p][/quote]no comments to such dribble.jake777

Dave Ruddock wrote…

Pity the other Buses are not as in tip top condition, for instance buses using No1 route, sound like HGV pulling a heavy load, buses kicking diesel fumes, Now its How Silent the electric buses are, best get the First York Road manager on the streets and the council Environmental people to check the remainder of the Councils private bus company. (Any Comments)

no comments to such dribble.

Score: -21

Magicman!
4:11am Fri 13 Jun 14

It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows.

That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.

It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows.
That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.Magicman!

It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows.

That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.

Score: -82

Jack Ham
8:22am Fri 13 Jun 14

£6.6 million BORROWED by City of York for this venture.

Who pays this? We do.

Just imagine what else could have been done with this or how many of us will be paying council tax, every year for the rest of our lives to repay the loan.

We're we given a choice. No
We're we given a vote. No
Will be benefit from it. Some of us. Maybe

And in other news CYC leadership, Alexander, Levene, Simpson-Laing, Merrett, Cunningham and co tell us every day our services are being reduced due to government cuts.

It's all about choices and sadly this administration chooses to spent our money in ways the offer no or little benefits to residents

P&R
West Offices with £100k+ on 'artwork'
Lendal Bridge
Arts Barge
Traveller Sites
Trips across world to develop 'links'

This list goes on and on and on

£6.6 million BORROWED by City of York for this venture.
Who pays this? We do.
Just imagine what else could have been done with this or how many of us will be paying council tax, every year for the rest of our lives to repay the loan.
We're we given a choice. No
We're we given a vote. No
Will be benefit from it. Some of us. Maybe
And in other news CYC leadership, Alexander, Levene, Simpson-Laing, Merrett, Cunningham and co tell us every day our services are being reduced due to government cuts.
Road repairs, pot holes, salt bins, litter bins, social care, disability support...the list goes on.
It's all about choices and sadly this administration chooses to spent our money in ways the offer no or little benefits to residents
P&R
West Offices with £100k+ on 'artwork'
Lendal Bridge
Arts Barge
Traveller Sites
Trips across world to develop 'links'
This list goes on and on and onJack Ham

£6.6 million BORROWED by City of York for this venture.

Who pays this? We do.

Just imagine what else could have been done with this or how many of us will be paying council tax, every year for the rest of our lives to repay the loan.

We're we given a choice. No
We're we given a vote. No
Will be benefit from it. Some of us. Maybe

And in other news CYC leadership, Alexander, Levene, Simpson-Laing, Merrett, Cunningham and co tell us every day our services are being reduced due to government cuts.

It's all about choices and sadly this administration chooses to spent our money in ways the offer no or little benefits to residents

P&R
West Offices with £100k+ on 'artwork'
Lendal Bridge
Arts Barge
Traveller Sites
Trips across world to develop 'links'

This list goes on and on and on

Score: -174

Archiebold the 1st
9:47am Fri 13 Jun 14

Magicman! wrote…

It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows. That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.

monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....

All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...If i was coming to york would i pay £10 for me and the wife to stop get a bus and go shopping in the centre or would i continue to drive in the same traffic and pay about £8 on parking.... its really not hard... Also commuters use the other locations i.e Tesco... Hardly anyone commutes from that road on a morning.

Money wasted that could have been put to a far better, bigger and much more beneficial project that would actually solve traffic in york rather then just add to it.

[quote][p][bold]Magicman![/bold] wrote:
It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows. That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.[/p][/quote]monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....
All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...If i was coming to york would i pay £10 for me and the wife to stop get a bus and go shopping in the centre or would i continue to drive in the same traffic and pay about £8 on parking.... its really not hard... Also commuters use the other locations i.e Tesco... Hardly anyone commutes from that road on a morning.
Money wasted that could have been put to a far better, bigger and much more beneficial project that would actually solve traffic in york rather then just add to it.Archiebold the 1st

Magicman! wrote…

It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows. That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.

monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....

All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...If i was coming to york would i pay £10 for me and the wife to stop get a bus and go shopping in the centre or would i continue to drive in the same traffic and pay about £8 on parking.... its really not hard... Also commuters use the other locations i.e Tesco... Hardly anyone commutes from that road on a morning.

Money wasted that could have been put to a far better, bigger and much more beneficial project that would actually solve traffic in york rather then just add to it.

Score: -101

Stevie D
9:38pm Fri 13 Jun 14

[quote][bold]Archiebold the 1st wrote…

monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....

All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...[/quote]
First pay the council a premium to run the Park & Ride contract – in other words, they are not only making a profit, but they are then making more on top of that to pay the council for the right to run those services. Apart from possibly a handful of evening/Sunday journeys on the 12 and 13, all of the rest of First York's network is run commercially – in other words, it only survives on the fares people pay*. If routes weren't making a profit, First wouldn't run them any more. Therefore basic logic tells you that they must be making money.

The other P&R do [italic]not[/italic] have a common theme of being located near to a major destination – Rawcliffe Bar has no destination nearby, and Grimston Bar didn't have one for more than 20 years – it's only very recently with the Sport Village opening that people might take the bus out from town to get somewhere. And these are two of the three busiest routes.

* OK, and the rebate for old folks using the free pass, which is less than half of what fare-paying passengers pay.

[quote][bold]Archiebold the 1st[/bold] wrote:
monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....
All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...[/quote]
First pay the council a premium to run the Park & Ride contract – in other words, they are not only making a profit, but they are then making more on top of that to pay the council for the right to run those services. Apart from possibly a handful of evening/Sunday journeys on the 12 and 13, all of the rest of First York's network is run commercially – in other words, it only survives on the fares people pay*. If routes weren't making a profit, First wouldn't run them any more. Therefore basic logic tells you that they must be making money.
The other P&R do [italic]not[/italic] have a common theme of being located near to a major destination – Rawcliffe Bar has no destination nearby, and Grimston Bar didn't have one for more than 20 years – it's only very recently with the Sport Village opening that people might take the bus out from town to get somewhere. And these are two of the three busiest routes.
* OK, and the rebate for old folks using the free pass, which is less than half of what fare-paying passengers pay.Stevie D

[quote][bold]Archiebold the 1st wrote…

monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....

All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...[/quote]
First pay the council a premium to run the Park & Ride contract – in other words, they are not only making a profit, but they are then making more on top of that to pay the council for the right to run those services. Apart from possibly a handful of evening/Sunday journeys on the 12 and 13, all of the rest of First York's network is run commercially – in other words, it only survives on the fares people pay*. If routes weren't making a profit, First wouldn't run them any more. Therefore basic logic tells you that they must be making money.

The other P&R do [italic]not[/italic] have a common theme of being located near to a major destination – Rawcliffe Bar has no destination nearby, and Grimston Bar didn't have one for more than 20 years – it's only very recently with the Sport Village opening that people might take the bus out from town to get somewhere. And these are two of the three busiest routes.

* OK, and the rebate for old folks using the free pass, which is less than half of what fare-paying passengers pay.

Score: -94

Jack Ham
2:32pm Fri 13 Jun 14

Archiebold the 1st wrote…

Magicman! wrote…

It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows. That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.

monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....

All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...If i was coming to york would i pay £10 for me and the wife to stop get a bus and go shopping in the centre or would i continue to drive in the same traffic and pay about £8 on parking.... its really not hard... Also commuters use the other locations i.e Tesco... Hardly anyone commutes from that road on a morning.

Money wasted that could have been put to a far better, bigger and much more beneficial project that would actually solve traffic in york rather then just add to it.

Spot on!

[quote][p][bold]Archiebold the 1st[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Magicman![/bold] wrote:
It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows. That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.[/p][/quote]monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....
All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...If i was coming to york would i pay £10 for me and the wife to stop get a bus and go shopping in the centre or would i continue to drive in the same traffic and pay about £8 on parking.... its really not hard... Also commuters use the other locations i.e Tesco... Hardly anyone commutes from that road on a morning.
Money wasted that could have been put to a far better, bigger and much more beneficial project that would actually solve traffic in york rather then just add to it.[/p][/quote]Spot on!Jack Ham

Archiebold the 1st wrote…

Magicman! wrote…

It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows. That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.

monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....

All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...If i was coming to york would i pay £10 for me and the wife to stop get a bus and go shopping in the centre or would i continue to drive in the same traffic and pay about £8 on parking.... its really not hard... Also commuters use the other locations i.e Tesco... Hardly anyone commutes from that road on a morning.

Money wasted that could have been put to a far better, bigger and much more beneficial project that would actually solve traffic in york rather then just add to it.

Spot on!

Score: -101

YorkPatrol
3:17pm Fri 13 Jun 14

Ichabod76 wrote…

James you need to buy a new suit, I know you have lost a lot of weight ( very well done ) but you can't keep turning up to your weekly photo shoots wearing the same one every time !

If only losing weight would increase his intelligence…

How on earth did the most simple of civil engineering projects (a car park with a bus stop) and a few buses/car park extension cost 22 MILLION POUNDS??

[quote][p][bold]Ichabod76[/bold] wrote:
James you need to buy a new suit, I know you have lost a lot of weight ( very well done ) but you can't keep turning up to your weekly photo shoots wearing the same one every time ![/p][/quote]If only losing weight would increase his intelligence…
How on earth did the most simple of civil engineering projects (a car park with a bus stop) and a few buses/car park extension cost 22 MILLION POUNDS??YorkPatrol

Ichabod76 wrote…

James you need to buy a new suit, I know you have lost a lot of weight ( very well done ) but you can't keep turning up to your weekly photo shoots wearing the same one every time !

If only losing weight would increase his intelligence…

How on earth did the most simple of civil engineering projects (a car park with a bus stop) and a few buses/car park extension cost 22 MILLION POUNDS??

Score: -89

strangebuttrue?
2:37pm Sat 14 Jun 14

Funny never noticed Mr Merrett standing in the background there working Mr Levene first time I looked.

Funny never noticed Mr Merrett standing in the background there working Mr Levene first time I looked.strangebuttrue?

Funny never noticed Mr Merrett standing in the background there working Mr Levene first time I looked.

Score: -79

jake777
11:26pm Fri 13 Jun 14

Archiebold the 1st wrote…

Magicman! wrote…

It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows. That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.

monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....

All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...If i was coming to york would i pay £10 for me and the wife to stop get a bus and go shopping in the centre or would i continue to drive in the same traffic and pay about £8 on parking.... its really not hard... Also commuters use the other locations i.e Tesco... Hardly anyone commutes from that road on a morning.

Money wasted that could have been put to a far better, bigger and much more beneficial project that would actually solve traffic in york rather then just add to it.

Got your facts wrong there, its no way near £10 on park and ride for two people, and it would cost you more to park in town plus fuel, plus wear and tare , dream on .

[quote][p][bold]Archiebold the 1st[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Magicman![/bold] wrote:
It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows. That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.[/p][/quote]monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....
All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...If i was coming to york would i pay £10 for me and the wife to stop get a bus and go shopping in the centre or would i continue to drive in the same traffic and pay about £8 on parking.... its really not hard... Also commuters use the other locations i.e Tesco... Hardly anyone commutes from that road on a morning.
Money wasted that could have been put to a far better, bigger and much more beneficial project that would actually solve traffic in york rather then just add to it.[/p][/quote]Got your facts wrong there, its no way near £10 on park and ride for two people, and it would cost you more to park in town plus fuel, plus wear and tare , dream on .jake777

Archiebold the 1st wrote…

Magicman! wrote…

It's worth remembering the Monks Cross park and ride (which opened in about 2007 as I recall) had equally low patronage at first - but useage eventually grows. That said however, I do think the Poppleton site has been opened before it is ready. There are poles for CCTV cameras in the car park, yet no CCTV cameras on those poles; the toilets have no loo roll holders; the water pressure at the taps in there is less forceful than a chav spitting at your hands; and the door springs were put on before the paint had dried fully, so now the doors stick shut and require more force to open them.

monks x is still low! the only buses that make first money are the x tesco & uni ones.....

All other p&r have had a common ground.. a location of special interest i.e shops, supermarket & uni..... this one... errrr.... well its just plonked on a ring road...If i was coming to york would i pay £10 for me and the wife to stop get a bus and go shopping in the centre or would i continue to drive in the same traffic and pay about £8 on parking.... its really not hard... Also commuters use the other locations i.e Tesco... Hardly anyone commutes from that road on a morning.

Money wasted that could have been put to a far better, bigger and much more beneficial project that would actually solve traffic in york rather then just add to it.

Got your facts wrong there, its no way near £10 on park and ride for two people, and it would cost you more to park in town plus fuel, plus wear and tare , dream on .

Score: 19

KevinWard59
8:57am Mon 16 Jun 14

Reading the lead letter it begs the question - does this Paul Hepworth think were stupid - or is he?
Claiming he'll drive from Windmill Rise with his folding cycle in the boot.
Why can't he just carry his folding cycle to the end of HIS street where he could get the P & R No.59 and leave his car at home - and not contribute to the pollution.
For those who know where Windmill Rise is and that the Windmill Rise bus stop is also called Holgate Park (On the No.59 Timetable encased at the same stop) - EXPOSED?

Reading the lead letter it begs the question - does this Paul Hepworth think were stupid - or is he?
Claiming he'll drive from Windmill Rise with his folding cycle in the boot.
Why can't he just carry his folding cycle to the end of HIS street where he could get the P & R No.59 and leave his car at home - and not contribute to the pollution.
For those who know where Windmill Rise is and that the Windmill Rise bus stop is also called Holgate Park (On the No.59 Timetable encased at the same stop) - EXPOSED?KevinWard59

Reading the lead letter it begs the question - does this Paul Hepworth think were stupid - or is he?
Claiming he'll drive from Windmill Rise with his folding cycle in the boot.
Why can't he just carry his folding cycle to the end of HIS street where he could get the P & R No.59 and leave his car at home - and not contribute to the pollution.
For those who know where Windmill Rise is and that the Windmill Rise bus stop is also called Holgate Park (On the No.59 Timetable encased at the same stop) - EXPOSED?

Score: -16

KevinWard59
9:02am Mon 16 Jun 14

KevinWard59 wrote…

Reading the lead letter it begs the question - does this Paul Hepworth think were stupid - or is he?
Claiming he'll drive from Windmill Rise with his folding cycle in the boot.
Why can't he just carry his folding cycle to the end of HIS street where he could get the P & R No.59 and leave his car at home - and not contribute to the pollution.
For those who know where Windmill Rise is and that the Windmill Rise bus stop is also called Holgate Park (On the No.59 Timetable encased at the same stop) - EXPOSED?

Regarding Letter on Saturday 14th June 2014

Riding High to Reduce Car Journeys.

Think there's a typo - message incongruent - What he proposes to do is AN INCREASE in car journeys.

[quote][p][bold]KevinWard59[/bold] wrote:
Reading the lead letter it begs the question - does this Paul Hepworth think were stupid - or is he?
Claiming he'll drive from Windmill Rise with his folding cycle in the boot.
Why can't he just carry his folding cycle to the end of HIS street where he could get the P & R No.59 and leave his car at home - and not contribute to the pollution.
For those who know where Windmill Rise is and that the Windmill Rise bus stop is also called Holgate Park (On the No.59 Timetable encased at the same stop) - EXPOSED?[/p][/quote]Regarding Letter on Saturday 14th June 2014
Riding High to Reduce Car Journeys.
Think there's a typo - message incongruent - What he proposes to do is AN INCREASE in car journeys.KevinWard59

KevinWard59 wrote…

Reading the lead letter it begs the question - does this Paul Hepworth think were stupid - or is he?
Claiming he'll drive from Windmill Rise with his folding cycle in the boot.
Why can't he just carry his folding cycle to the end of HIS street where he could get the P & R No.59 and leave his car at home - and not contribute to the pollution.
For those who know where Windmill Rise is and that the Windmill Rise bus stop is also called Holgate Park (On the No.59 Timetable encased at the same stop) - EXPOSED?

Regarding Letter on Saturday 14th June 2014

Riding High to Reduce Car Journeys.

Think there's a typo - message incongruent - What he proposes to do is AN INCREASE in car journeys.

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